Polyzosteriinae, the subfamily which contains the genus Eurycotis, has an interesting distribution. The majority of its members are found exclusively in Australia and the surrounding islands, but it is also represented in both North and South America. The Venezuelan skunk roach is similar to the larger Eurycotis floridana, and is an example of the atypical case of a southern insect taxon being much smaller than its northern kin. Unlike the Florida skunk roach this species exhibits microptery; that is, its wings are so reduced to the point that they are barely visible on the thorax. Hardy and endearing, this small species is decent for handling, a trait which appears throughout the genus.